Image reproduction device and image reproduction method

ABSTRACT

In a case where a thumbnail image is displayed at the time of insertion of an image file storage medium including an automatic reproduction file, the thumbnail image is displayed only for the image file which contains description of automatic reproduction in an automatic reproduction file. Also, a thumbnail image of an image file which contains description of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file is replaced with a dummy image or displayed as a thumbnail image not apparently capable of being recognized in response to a user request.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image reproduction device and animage reproduction method in which an image file storage medium such asa CF card or an SD card having a function of automatically reproducing astored image file is inserted into an image display device such as aprojector or a plasma display to carry out a presentation using theautomatic reproduction function.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, use of a digital camera has begun to extend explosivelydue to improved image quality and decreased price coupled with animproved performance of a personal computer and a color printer. Withthis as a background, with intention of further extending ownership ofthe digital camera, various companies have proposed various standardsfor a method of storing related information such as image pickupconditions of the digital camera and a method of improving an interfacewith the color printer. On the other hand, a home-use projector iscoming to be widely used due to reduced size, weight and price of thebody thereof. In the near future, an image picked up by the digitalcamera is expected to be enjoyed by use of a projector even in ordinaryhome.

FIG. 1 shows a flowchart for a conventional method of displaying athumbnail image in an image reproduction device meeting reproductionspecifications of a conventional automatic reproduction file.

First, a user inserts an image file storage medium containing an imagepicked up by a digital camera, into an image reproduction device. Animage file storage medium has stored therein a plurality of image filesand an automatic reproduction file for automatically setting the imagefiles in an automatic reproduction mode. FIG. 2 shows an example of afile configuration of the image file storage medium. FIG. 2 shows animage file configuration based on DPOF specifications disclosed by fourcompanies including Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. The fileconfiguration in the image file storage medium is such that a DCIMfolder for storing an ordinary image file and a MISC folder for storingthe control information such as automatic reproduction file informationare arranged under a ROOT directory. The ordinary image files includingABCO001.JPG, ABC0002.JPG and the like are all placed in the lowest layerof the DCIM folder. An AUTPRTINT.MRK file in the MISC folder is anautomatic print file, a UNICODE.MRK file is a unicode character stringdescription file, and an AUTXFER.MRK is an automatic transmissioncontrol file. Also, an AUTPLAYn.MRK file is an automatic reproductionfile. This automatic reproduction file has stored therein the controlinformation for controlling automatic reproduction of these image files.This control information concerns designation and order of the imagefile and interval of image transmission time for automatic reproduction.For example, in a case where 10 image files including ABC0001.JPG toABC0010.JPG are arranged in the lowest layer of the DCIM folder, andthree images of ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG and ABC0009.JPG are designatedas automatic reproduction files, the image reproduction deviceautomatically displays only the three image files in that order on adisplay unit, but does not display the other seven image files.

The image display device can display a list of a plurality of thumbnailimages composed of 160×120 pixels. FIG. 3 shows an example configurationof the image file. Generally, the image file picked up by the digitalcamera and compressed by JPEG scheme is formed of an application markerblock, the number of pixels, quantization table and the like (JPEGheader) and a compressed data area of a main image. The applicationmarker block has stored therein image-related information such as imagepickup conditions and a thumbnail, i.e., the JPEG code with 160×120pixels compressed, and the JPEG-compressed data of the thumbnail as wellas the number of pixels and the quantization table are also held in thethumbnail region. Characters SOI designates a start marker and EOI anend marker.

Now, in FIG. 1, the image file storage medium is inserted into the imagereproduction device and a reproduction process is started. First, thepresence or absence of the automatic reproduction file is detected. Inthe presence of the automatic reproduction file, the file is read (stepS1). It is then checked whether a thumbnail display is requested or not(step S2), and in the absence of the request, the image file issequentially automatically reproduced in line with contents described inthe automatic reproduction file (steps S3, S4). In a case where thethumbnail display request is input by interruption from an externalarbitrary input unit, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S5. Theimage reproduction device retrieves thumbnail image data of all theimage files in the lowest layer of the DCIM folder from the image filestorage medium, and displays a thumbnail image list on a display (stepS6).

In a case where the operation described above is performed, however, allthe thumbnail images are displayed as a list regardless of theinformation in the automatic reproduction file. Assuming that alarge-sized display device such as a projector or a PDP on which aplurality of viewers can view one screen at the same time is used as adisplay of the image reproduction device, it becomes no problem at thetime of normal automatic reproduction because image data not desirablydisplayed to the viewers are not displayed by internal setting of theautomatic reproduction file. In a case where thumbnail display iscarried out with intention of searching the image files in the imagefile storage medium, however, it becomes a problem that the image datanot desirably viewed by the viewers are also displayed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An image reproduction device according to the invention is fordisplaying an image of an image file storage medium having storedtherein a plurality of image files in an arbitrary format for storingmain image information and thumbnail image information and an automaticreproduction file containing at least description of permittingautomatic reproduction of the plurality of the image files or not andthe order in which they are reproduced. The image reproduction deviceaccording to this invention thus comprises a read unit which reads eachfile information stored in the image file storage medium, a control unitwhich performs the control operation to read the thumbnail image of theimage file containing the description of permitting automaticreproduction, from the image file storage medium based on the automaticreproduction file read by the read unit, an image development unit whichdevelops the image file read by the read unit, a storage element whichwrites the image data developed by the image development unit, and animage display unit which reads the thumbnail image written in thestorage element and which displays it as a list. As a result, even thethumbnail image can not be displayed in such a manner as not to displaythe image data which the owner of the image file storage data does notdesire to display to the third-party viewers.

The storage element is for holding the dummy image data corresponding tothe thumbnail image. The control unit may alternatively perform thecontrol operation in such a manner that a dummy image is read from thestorage element in place of the thumbnail image of the image file whichcontains the description of non-automatic reproduction in the automaticreproduction file read by the read unit. As a result, the image datawhich the owner of the image file storage medium does not desire todisplay to third-party viewers is prevented from being displayed whileat the same time making it possible to notify the owner of the imagefile storage medium that the image file is present which contains thedescription of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproductionfile.

As another alternative, the image reproduction device further comprisesan input unit which selectively determines whether the thumbnail imageis displayed as a dummy image or a thumbnail image. In a case where theinput unit selects the thumbnail image, the control unit reads thethumbnail image from the image file storage medium, while in a casewhere the input unit selects a dummy image, the control unit reads thedummy image from the storage element. As a result, the owner of theimage file storage medium can selectively determine whether an imagethat has been designated as an image data not desirably displayed tothird-party viewers is to be displayed or not in accordance with thescene involved on the image reproduction device, thereby contributing toan improved operating convenience.

The image development unit develops as a normal image the thumbnailimage of the image file which contains the description of automaticreproduction in the automatic reproduction file read by the read unit.At the same time, the image development unit may develop the thumbnailimage of the image file which contains the description of non-automaticreproduction as an image difficult to recognize. As a result, the imagefile which contains the description of non-automatic reproduction can berecognized only by the owner of the image file medium in displaying thethumbnail image.

The storage element holds first and second different dummy image datacorresponding to the thumbnail image. The control unit performs thecontrol operation in such a manner as to read the first dummy image fromthe storage element in place of the thumbnail image of the image filewhich contains the description of non-automatic reproduction in theautomatic reproduction file. As an alternative, in a case where thethumbnail image of the image file which contains the description ofautomatic reproduction is not stored in the automatic reproduction fileinformation, the second dummy image is read from the storage element.This process facilitates the judgment whether a given image file is theone which contains the description of non-automatic reproduction in theautomatic reproduction file or the one which contains the description ofautomatic reproduction is contained in the automatic reproduction filebut the thumbnail image is not stored in the image file.

The image reproduction device may further comprise an input unit whichselectively determines whether the display of the first dummy image forthe thumbnail image is canceled or not. In a case where the input unitcancels display of the dummy image, the control unit performs thecontrol operation in such a manner as to read the thumbnail imagecorresponding to the particular image from the image file. As a result,the designation of non-automatic reproduction is canceled on the imagereproduction device for the thumbnail display of the image file whichcontains the description of non-automatic reproduction in the automaticreproduction file, so that the thumbnail image data held in the imagefile can be displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation of a conventional imagereproduction device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image file structure storedin an image file storage medium.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the image file structure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imagereproduction device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image reproductiondevice according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a thumbnail image developed in a storageelement 6 of the image reproduction device according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of display on the imagereproduction device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image reproductiondevice according to a modification of the first embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image reproductiondevice according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of image development of astorage element 6 of the image reproduction device according to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of display on the imagereproduction device according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of a modification of thesecond embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imagereproduction device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image reproductiondevice according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing normal display of a thumbnail imageaccording to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a thumbnail image deformed according to apredetermined rule.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another example of operation according tothe third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing still another example of operationaccording to the third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image reproductiondevice according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image reproductiondevice according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imagereproduction device according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image reproductiondevice according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an image before protection cancellationsetting according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an image after protection cancellationsetting according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference toFIGS. 4 to 8.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imagereproduction device according to the invention. In FIG. 4, an image filestorage medium 1 is a replaceable medium such as a CF card or an SDcard. The image file storage medium 1 has stored therein at least animage file 2 picked up by a digital camera or the like and an automaticreproduction file 3. A read unit 4 is for reading each of the image file2 and the automatic reproduction file 3 in the image file storage medium1, and an image development unit 5 is for developing the image file 2. Astorage element 6 is for temporarily holding image data developed by theimage development unit 5, and an image display unit 7 displays the imagedata developed by the image development unit 5 on an arbitrary display.A control unit 8 controls each circuit block, and an input unit 9 isoperated by a user to give an instruction to execute various menu itemsof this image reproduction device from outside. An example of the inputunit 9 is a button or a switch unit mounted on the image reproductiondevice or an infrared light remote controller and a USB device such as aUSB mouse.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a file configuration of the image filestorage medium 1. FIG. 2 is an image file configuration based on DPOFspecifications providing a uniform format for outputting an image pickedup by a digital camera. The file configuration in the image file storagemedium is roughly divided into a DCIM folder for storing an ordinaryimage file under a ROOT directory and a MISC folder for storing controlinformation such as automatic reproduction file information. Theordinary image files including ABC0001.JPG, ABC0002.JPG and the like areall placed in the lowest layer of the DCIM folder. Control informationfor controlling automatic reproduction of these image files are storedin an AUTPLAYn.MRK file under the MISC folder. The information such asdesignation of the image files automatically reproduced, order in whichthey are reproduced and image feed time interval are written in theAUTPLAYn.MRK file. In a case where 10 image files including ABC0001.JPGto ABC0010.JPG are located in the lowest layer of the DCIM folder andthree images including ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG and ABC0009.JPG aredesignated as automatic reproduction files, for example, the imagereproduction device automatically displays image data of only theaforementioned three image files sequentially on a display, but does notdisplay the image data of the other seven image files.

Also, the image reproduction device can display image data of 160×120pixels normally called a thumbnail as a list. FIG. 3 shows an example ofa configuration of the image file 2. Generally, the image file 2 pickedup by a digital camera and compressed by JPEG scheme has stored thereinthumbnail images together with image-related information such as imagingconditions in an application marker block in addition to JPEG-compresseddata of a main image. The image reproduction device, in response to athumbnail display request, causes the control unit 8 to retrieve athumbnail image block in each image file in the lowest layer of the DCIMfolder of the image file storage medium 1 through the read unit 4, anddisplays a plurality of thumbnail images on an arbitrary display fromthe image display unit 7.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation performed in a case where theimage file storage medium 1 stored in the aforementioned format isinserted into this image reproduction device and thumbnail image displayis requested by an arbitrary input unit 9. First, in step S11, thecontrol unit 8 controls the read unit 4 for reading contents of the filestored in the image file storage medium 1, and reads an automaticreproduction file of the image file storage medium 1. In step S12, thecontrol unit 8 checks whether a thumbnail display request is receivedfrom the input unit 9 or not. In the absence of the thumbnail displayrequest, a main image designated in the automatic reproduction file isretrieved in steps S13, S14 and the main image thereof is automaticallyreproduced.

In the presence of the thumbnail display request, on the other hand, theprocess proceeds from steps S12 to S15. In step S15, the control unit 8reads contents of the automatic reproduction file 3, and only thethumbnail image of the image file described in the automaticreproduction file 3 is read into the image development unit 5 from theimage file storage medium 1. In the case under consideration, the imagedevelopment unit 5, under control of the control unit 8, expandsJPEG-compressed image data according to JPEG scheme for display on theimage display unit 7 and develops them in the storage element 6. Thecontrol unit 8 reads the image data developed in the storage element 6from the image development unit 5, transfers the image data to the imagedisplay unit 7, and displays a list of thumbnails on an arbitrarydisplay in step S16.

Assume, for example, that as in the aforementioned case, 20 image filesincluding ABC0001.JPG to ABC0020.JPG are located in the lowest layer ofDCIM and six images including ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG, ABC0009.JPG andthe like are designated as automatic reproduction files. The controlunit 8 first controls the read unit 4 to read the thumbnail imagecorresponding to ABC0002.JPG from the image file storage medium 1 intothe image development unit 5. Next, ABC0005.JPG file is read following asimilar procedure, so that a thumbnail images stored in ABC0005.JPG aredeveloped. FIG. 6 shows contents of the storage element 6 developed inthis way. The images thus developed are displayed on a display as shownin FIG. 7.

As described above, with the configuration according to this embodiment,information in the automatic reproduction file 3 are read from thecontrol unit 8 also at the time of thumbnail image display, so that onlythe thumbnail images in the image file which contains the description ofautomatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 in the imagefile storage medium 1 are displayed on the display. As a result, animage file, which contains the description of non-automatic reproductionin the automatic reproduction file 3 in line with the desire of an ownerof the image file storage medium 1 not to display the information tothird-party other viewers, can be prevented from being displayed on thedisplay of the image reproduction device at the time of thumbnail imagedisplay as well as at the time of automatic reproduction of a mainimage. This invention is useful especially in a presentation held usinga large-screen display such as a projector which a multiplicity ofunspecified viewers can view at the same time.

Next, a modification of this embodiment is explained. a presentationusing a projector may be carried out in a meeting about a project. Insuch a case, all participants in the meeting may discuss the informationincluding the contents of the image data of the image file whichcontains the description of non-automatic reproduction in the automaticreproduction file 3. In such a case, it is bothersome to alter thecontents of the automatic reproduction file 3 in the image file storagemedium 1 each time. Also, if a job of restoring the original state isforgotten after alteration, it becomes a problem that the image data ofthe image file which contains the description of non-automaticreproduction is also undesirably displayed on the display at the time ofreproduction of the image file storage medium in other equipmentcompatible with the automatic reproduction function.

The flowchart of FIG. 8 is intended to obviate this disadvantage. StepsS21 to S24 coincide with steps S11 to S14 of the first embodiment. Inresponse to a thumbnail display request, step S25 checks whether thedisplay request covers all the images. In the absence of the request,only the thumbnail designated in the automatic reproduction file isretrieved as in the aforementioned case in step S26. In the presence ofa display request for all the images, on the other hand, a menu screenas to whether the thumbnail images of all the image files are displayedor not is displayed in step S27 so that the confirmation whether thethumbnail images of all the image files are displayed or not is allowedto be input by way of the input unit 9. Once this is confirmed, thethumbnails in all the image files are retrieved in step S28. Then, theprocess proceeds to step 29 to display a thumbnail list. With thisoperation, the user of the image reproduction device can selectivelydetermine whether the thumbnail images are displayed in accordance withthe contents described in the automatic reproduction file 3 in the imagefile storage medium 1 or the thumbnail images of all the image files inthe image file storage medium are displayed. Also, when displaying thethumbnail images of all the image files contained in the image filestorage medium 1, the image data of the image file, of which thedescription by the owner of the image file storage medium to the effectthat the display unit also displays the automatic reproduction file 3which contains the description of non-automatic reproduction. As shownin step S27 of this embodiment, therefore, the confirmation ispreferably requested. In this way, security can be strengthened to thebenefit of the owner of the image file storage medium 1.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the invention is explained with referenceto FIGS. 9 to 11.

In the configuration of the first embodiment, assume that the thumbnailimage is displayed on the basis of the information described in theautomatic reproduction file 3 stored in the image file storage medium 1.Even the presence or absence of the thumbnail image of the image filewhich contains the description of automatic reproduction in theautomatic reproduction file 3, as shown in FIG. 7, is not known to theviewers. In this case, the intention not to display the image data ofthe image file which it is not desired to disclose to the third-partyviewers is achieved. Nevertheless, what kind of other image files existin the image file storage medium 1 becomes also unknown to the user ofthe image reproduction device. This inconvenience could be avoided if alist of all the image files stored in the image file storage medium 1 ismemorized by the user of the image reproduction device. With the recentmarked increase in storage capacity of the image file storage medium 1,however, the number of image files that can be stored in the image filestorage medium 1 has increased to several hundreds or more, and the usermay be unable to memorize the contents of the image data of all theimage files.

In view of this, according to this embodiment, the information in theautomatic reproduction file 3 stored in the image file storage medium 1are read, whether automatic reproduction is permitted or not is judgedfor each set of a plurality of image files, and the thumbnail image ofthe image files which contains the description of permitting automaticreproduction is displayed as a dummy thumbnail.

The configuration of the image reproduction device according to thisembodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 2 and therefore will not beshown. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reproduction method for an imagereproduction device according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 shows anexample of display of a thumbnail image according to this embodiment.

Next, an operation is explained with reference to a flowchart.

In a case where the image file storage medium 1 is inserted into thisimage reproduction device and a thumbnail image display request isissued from the input unit 9, the control unit 8 controls the read unit4 to read file contents of the image file storage medium 1 thereby toread the file of the image file storage medium 1. Steps S31 to S34 arethe same as steps S11 to S14 of the first embodiment. Assume that athumbnail display request is issued. In a case where the image filestorage medium 1 contains the automatic reproduction file 3 in step S32,the control unit 8 reads the contents of the automatic reproduction file3, thereby judging whether the thumbnail is protected or not, i.e.,whether the thumbnail is intended for automatic reproduction or not. Ina case where the thumbnail is not intended for automatic reproduction,the process proceeds to step S36, and the dummy thumbnail image datasuch as all-zero data (i.e., solid black) are written in the area of thestorage element 6 which originally should store the thumbnail image dataof the ABC0001 file, through the image development unit 5 as shown inFIG. 10.

According to this embodiment, the dummy thumbnail image data are writtenin the storage element 6 through the image development unit 5. It ispossible, however, to write the dummy thumbnail image data from thecontrol unit 8 directly into the storage element 6. Also, according tothis embodiment, all-zero data (solid black) are written in the storageelement 6. Nevertheless, an arbitrary image data other than the solidblack, such as a logo of a maker, may be held in the storage element 6and written in the thumbnail area of the storage element 6 with equaleffect. With this operation, the display quality can be improved. In acase where the thumbnail is not protected, i.e., in a case where thethumbnail is intended for automatic reproduction, on the other hand, theimage of the thumbnail is read and developed in step S37. A list ofthumbnails is displayed in step S38 thereby to judge whether all theimages have been completely processed or not. In a case where all theimages have not been completely processed, the process returns to stepS35 and a similar process is repeated.

Assume, for example, that 20 image files ABC0001.JPG to ABC0020.JPG arelocated in the lowest layer of DCIM and six images includingABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG, ABC0009.JPG, ABC0012.JPG, ABC0013.JPG andABC0019.JPG are designated as automatic reproduction files. In step S35,the control unit 8 judges that ABC0001.JPG is not included in theautomatic reproduction files, based on the information described in theautomatic reproduction files 3. Thus, the corresponding thumbnail areais blackened as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Next, the thumbnail of the image file ABC0002.JPG is displayed. Theautomatic reproduction file contains the description of the automaticreproduction of the ABC0002 file. In step S37, the control unit 8performs the control operation in such a manner as to read the thumbnailimage of the image file ABC0002 into the image development unit 5 fromthe image file storage medium 1. In this case, the image developmentunit 5, under the control of the control unit 8, extends aJPEG-compressed image file to a size capable of being displayed as animage on the image display unit 7 and develops it in the storage element6. The image data developed in the storage element 6 is read from theimage development unit 5, transferred to the image display unit 7 anddisplayed on the display unit of the image reproduction device.Subsequently, the image display process is executed in similar steps forABC0003, ABC0004 and so forth, in that order. In this way, the processreturns from step S39 to step S35 to execute a similar process until allthe thumbnail images are processed completely. With this operation, thethumbnail image list shown in FIG. 11 can be displayed on the displayunit.

As a result, the user of this image reproduction device can display alist of all the image files stored in the image file storage medium 1using the thumbnail image display function of this image reproductiondevice. In the process, the thumbnail image of the image file which theowner of the storage medium 1 (normally, the same as the user of thisimage reproduction device) does not want to display to the third-partyviewers is displayed in the solid black or like dummy thumbnail image,results in protection. In many cases, the user displays thumbnail imagesfor the purpose of searching the image file in the storage medium 1. Ina case where the thumbnail images of the image file, which contains thedescription of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproductionfile 3 of the image file storage medium 1, are unified by an arbitraryimage data as in this embodiment, therefore, a file name attached toeach image file is required to be designed to facilitate judgment on apart of the user of this image reproduction device as to which imagefile corresponds to what image data. As a result, the user of this imagereproduction device can easily judge from the image file name what kindof image file is stored in the image file storage medium, and thereforethe main image of the corresponding image file can be displayed.

Next, a modification of this embodiment is explained. The user maydesire to display a thumbnail image, irrespective of the description ofnon-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 storedin the image file storage medium 1. An operation for such a case isexplained with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 12. Operations of stepsS31 to S39 are similar to those described above. According to thisembodiment, step S32 checks whether a request to display all the imagesis issued or not after the thumbnail display request (step S40). In theabsence of a request to display all the images, an operation similar tothe above-mentioned case is performed. In the presence of a request todisplay all the images, on the other hand, the process proceeds to stepS41 to retrieve the thumbnail images of all the image files from theimage file storage medium 1. Then, step S42 displays a thumbnail list.At the same time, as shown in step S27 of FIG. 8, assuming that arequest to display the thumbnail image is inputted through the inputunit 9 to this image reproduction device, this image reproduction devicemay display a menu screen to check whether the thumbnail images of allthe image files are to be displayed or not, and confirmation is inputfrom the input unit 9. With this operation, the user of the imagereproduction device can selectively determine whether the thumbnailimages are displayed in accordance with the contents described in theautomatic reproduction file 3 or the all thumbnail images of all theimage files in the image file storage medium are displayed.

As described above, with the configuration according to this invention,also at the time of displaying the thumbnail image, the image data whichthe owner of the image file storage medium 1 does not want to bedisplayed to the third-party viewers can be prevented from beingdisplayed, by reading the information of the automatic reproduction file3 by way of the control unit 8. Also, by using a dummy image data inplace of the thumbnail image of the image file which contains thedescription of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproductionfile 3, the user of this image reproduction device can search thedesired image file using the thumbnail display function.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the invention is explained with reference toFIGS. 13 to 18.

In the configuration according to the second embodiment, the thumbnailimages of all the image files with the description of non-automaticreproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 are displayed on thedisplay unit uniformly as a solid-black or an arbitrary image data.Therefore, the user of this image reproduction device encounters aproblem that it is hard to remind which image file contains what imagedata. In a case of an image file picked up by a digital camera, thecamera often automatically gives image file names simply inchronological order of an image pickup operation. For the purpose ofeasy recognition of contents of image data of a particular image file,therefore, the file name of the image file is required to set in advanceso that the user of this image reproduction device can intuitivelyunderstand the contents of the image data. Depending on a manner inwhich a name is attached to the image file, however, a third party mayspeculate about the contents of the thumbnail image displayed in solidblack or arbitrary image data.

In view of this, this embodiment enables to display the thumbnail imageof the image file with the description of non-automatic reproduction inthe automatic reproduction file 3 on the display unit of the imagereproduction device in such a manner as not to be easily recognized bythe third party.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to thisembodiment, in which the same component parts as in FIG. 4 aredesignated by the same reference numerals, respectively, and notdescribed in detail. This embodiment has a feature in an imagedevelopment unit 5A. In the image development unit 5A shown in FIG. 13,a file extension unit 10 is for extending an arbitrary image file 2stored in the image file storage medium 1. A storage element drive unit11 reads and writes image data from and into the storage element 6. Adata output unit 12 is for outputting the image data written in thestorage element 6 to the image display unit 7. A write addressgenerating unit 13 is for generating a write address required for thestorage element drive unit 11 to write the image data in the storageelement 6. A read address generating unit 14, on the other hand, is forgenerating a read address required for the storage element drive unit 11to read the image data stored in the storage element 6. Theconfiguration of the other component parts is the same as thecorresponding configuration in the embodiments described above.

Next, an operation is explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.14. First, upon insertion of the image file storage medium 1 into thisimage reproduction device, the control unit 8 controls the read unit 4for reading the contents of the files of the image file storage medium 1thereby to read the file contents of the image file storage medium 1. Inthe presence of the automatic reproduction file 3 in the image filestorage medium 1, the control unit 8 reads the contents of the automaticreproduction file 3 (step S51). Then, the control unit 8 checks whetherthe thumbnail image display is requested or not (step S52). In a casewhere no thumbnail is requested, the process proceeds to steps S53, S54,so that the main image designated by the automatic reproduction file isretrieved and displayed by automatic reproduction.

In a case where the user requests to display a thumbnail, on the otherhand, the process proceeds to step S55 in which the thumbnail images areretrieved in a predetermined order. Step S56 judges whether the mainimage is to be automatically reproduced by the automatic reproductionfile, i.e., whether the main image is protected or not. In a case wherethe automatic reproduction is not involved, the process proceeds to stepS57, in which the write addresses for the storage element aresequentially controlled. In a case where the main image is protected,the process proceeds to step S58 in which the write addresses for thestorage element are controlled according to a predetermined rule in adiscontinuous way. Next, the process proceeds to step S59 forsequentially controlling the read addresses. In this way, the storageelement 6 holds the thumbnail images. Then, the process proceeds to stepS60 to display a thumbnail list. In a case where all the images are notcompletely displayed, the process returns to step S55, while all theimages are displayed, the process is terminated (step S61).

Assume, for example, that 10 image files ABC0001.JPG to ABC0010.JPG arelocated in the lowest layer of DCIM and three images includingABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG and ABC0009.JPG are designated as an automaticreproduction file 3. The control unit 8 first controls the read unit 4to read the thumbnail image of ABC0001.JPG from the image file storagemedium 1 to the file extension unit 10 of the image development unit 5.In this case, the file extension unit 10 extends a JPEG-compressed imagefile as an image data and outputs it to the storage element drive unit11. On the other hand, the write address generating unit 13 controlsgenerating operation according to a predetermined rule based on thecondition that the file ABC0001 is an image file of which automaticreproduction is not permitted, i.e., the file ABC0001 is protectedaccording to the information of the automatic reproduction file 3 fromthe control unit 8. Specifically, the write addresses “0000, 0001, 0002,0003, . . . ”, which are normally generated in that order for the writeoperation into the storage element 6, are changed in order. The readaddress generating unit 14, on the other hand, sequentially generatesthe reading addresses for the image data stored in the storage element 6and sequentially reads the image data stored in the storage element 6.In the case under consideration, unless the image data is much differentfrom an original image, the third party can easily imagine the originalimage. By changing the image data for each plurality of lines or imageblocks, therefore, contents of the image data are prevented from beingeasily recognized by the third party. For example, the thumbnail imageis segmented for each 20 lines. Normally, the thumbnail image isconfigured of 160 pixels by 120 lines, and therefore can be segmentedinto 6 (=120/20) blocks. The image data segmented into six blocks inthis way are arranged in an arbitrary order. As a result, the thumbnailimage is segmented into six parts in horizontal direction and arrangedin random order for display. In the case of a thumbnail of an humanimage as shown in FIG. 15, for example, six blocks of each 20 lines arechanged in order. Then, the image shown in FIG. 16 is obtained. In thisway, a thumbnail list is displayed.

The foregoing explanation of the operation refers to the case where thethumbnail image is segmented by line to facilitate the addressmanagement of the storage element 6. Nevertheless, a similar effect canof course be secured by segmenting the image data by pixel in a verticaldirection. As another alternative, the thumbnail image can be segmentedboth vertically and horizontally and combined with equal effect.

The greater the number of divisions into which the thumbnail image issegmented, the advantage is greater that the contents of the originalimage is hard to understand to the third party. An excessively greaternumber of divisions of the thumbnail image, however, leads to thedisadvantage that it becomes difficult even for the user of the imagereproduction device to understand the contents of the image data. Inview of this, the image reproduction device may be so constructed thatthe user thereof can select the number of divisions of the thumbnailimages by way of the input unit 9. With this operation, the thumbnailimage more suitable to the operating conditions of the imagereproduction device can be displayed. As an example, an infrared lightremote controller is used as the input unit 9, so that the control dataissued from the infrared light remote controller is received by thecontrol unit 8 and a menu screen is displayed with an arbitrary OSD onthe display unit of the image reproduction device. The user of the imagereproduction device can thus set the number of divisions of thethumbnail image by selecting each item of the OSD menu with the infraredlight mouse.

In the aforementioned case, the write addresses to the storage element 6are generated in the order under a predetermined rule to deform thethumbnail image. As an alternative, the write addresses may besequentially generated from the write address generating unit 13 and theimage data written in the storage element 6, while the read addressesfor the storage element 6 which are generated from the read addressgenerating unit 14 may be controlled in accordance with a predeterminedrule.

The operation in this case is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17. Afterretrieving the thumbnail image in step S55, the process proceeds to stepS62 where the write addresses are sequentially controlled and written inthe storage element 6. Then, depending on whether the data are protectedor not, the operation is switched to generate the read addressesaccording to a predetermined rule or to sequentially control the readaddresses (steps S63, S64). Also in this case, the data of the storageelement read by the read addresses are displayed in a thumbnail list(step S60) thereby to judge whether all the images have been processedor not, followed by repeating the process.

As another alternative, in a case where the data is not protected asshown in FIG. 18, the write addresses and the read addresses aregenerated at the same time sequentially (steps S65, S66), while in acase where the data is protected, the operation is switched according toa predetermined rule. Specifically, both the write addresses generatedfrom the write address generating unit 13 and the read addressesgenerated from the read address generating unit 14 may be changedaccording to a predetermined rule (steps S67, S68) with similar effect.In this case, however, if a method of generating the read addresses anda method of generating the write addresses are exactly identical to eachother, the normal image display would result. Therefore, different rulesare required to be employed between the two addressing generatingmethods.

As a rewrite operation according to a predetermined rule, the image maybe shaded with a low-pass filter or changed to a mosaic image. Further,a part of the image may be cut out and displayed in enlarged form, orthe most significant bits and the least significant bits may be replacedwith each other. In the case of 8-bit image data R0 to R7, for example,R0(LBS) is replaced with R7(MBS) or R1 with R6 and R2 with R5. In thisway, the image data are changed according to a predetermined rule into aform which is apparently hard to recognize but a writer of the imagedata can grasp the contents thereof.

As described above, with the configuration according to this invention,even at the time of displaying the thumbnail image, the image data whichthe owner of the image file storage medium 1 does not want to display tothe other viewers can be easily prevented from being displayed byreading the information of the automatic reproduction file 3 from thecontrol unit 8. Also at the time of displaying the thumbnail, thethumbnail image of the image file with the description of non-automaticreproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 cannot be recognizedapparently by other than the user of the image reproduction device, butcan be identified only by the user of the image reproduction device.Even when using a large-screen display such as a projector operatedbefore a multiplicity of unspecified persons, therefore, the user of theimage reproduction device can search the image file while protecting theimage data of the image file of which disclosure to the third party isnot desired, using a list function of the thumbnail image.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the invention is explained with referenceto FIG. 19.

As shown in FIG. 3, when picked up with an ordinary digital camera, boththe main image and the thumbnail image are stored in the same imagefile. Some image file production software used for a personal computer,however, is not intended to produce a thumbnail image in addition to themain image. In a case where the image file storage medium including thiskind of image file is used, the thumbnail image, if any, in the imagefile with the description of automatic reproduction in the automaticreproduction file 3 in the image file storage medium 1 can be displayedwithout any problem in the configuration of the second and thirdembodiments. However, the thumbnail image, if not included in the imagefile, cannot be displayed. In a case where the solid-black image data isdisplayed in the area where the thumbnail is to be displayed, therefore,it is a problem that even the user cannot make distinction from theimage file with the description of non-automatic reproduction in theautomatic reproduction file 3.

In the absence of a thumbnail image, the main image may be displayed bybeing resized to a standard pixel size of 160×120 pixels of thethumbnail image. With this operation, the thumbnail image can bedisplayed. Nevertheless, a long time of about 30 seconds may be requiredfrom the time of resizing to the time of displaying the image. As aresult, the user of the image reproduction device is liable tomisunderstand that the system has gone out of order or hung up. Also, ina case where the large-screen video display device such as a projectorintended for presentation is used as a display for this imagereproduction device, the display of the thumbnail image, if carried outby the method described above, would pose the problem that many viewershave to wait about several tens of seconds during the display operation.

This problem is solved in this embodiment by judging whether thethumbnail image of the image file is present or not, and upon receipt ofa request to display a thumbnail of the image file lacking the thumbnailimage, the image file with the description of non-automatic reproductionin the automatic reproduction file 3 is displayed by a different displaymethod.

a configuration of the image reproduction device according to thisembodiment is identical to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, andtherefore is not explained any more. The operation is explained withreference to the flowchart of FIG. 19.

First, upon insertion of the image file storage medium 1 into the imagereproduction device, the control unit 8 controls the read unit 4 to readcontents of the file of the image file storage medium 1 thereby to readthe contents of the file of the image file storage medium 1. In a casewhere the image file storage medium 1 includes an automatic reproductionfile 3, the control unit 8 reads the contents of the automaticreproduction file 3 (step S71). Then, the control unit 8 checks whetherthumbnail image display is requested or not (step S72). In the absenceof the thumbnail request, the process proceeds to steps S73, and S74 inwhich the main image designated in the automatic reproduction file isretrieved and is displayed by automatic reproduction.

In the presence of the thumbnail display request, on the other hand, theprocess proceeds to step S75 to retrieve the thumbnail images in apredetermined order. Step S75 judges whether the main image is set forautomatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file or not, i.e.,whether the data is protected or not. In a case where the data isprotected, the first dummy, e.g., the solid black is displayed in allthe thumbnail areas in step S76. Then the process proceeds to step S77to display a thumbnail list and judge whether all the screens have beencompletely processed or not (step S81). Unless all the screens arecompletely processed, the process returns to step S75 to repeat a sameprocess until all the thumbnails are completely processed. Unless thedata is protected in step S75, the process proceeds to step S78 to judgewhether a thumbnail image is present or not. In the presence of athumbnail image, the particular thumbnail image is retrieved in stepS79. In the absence of a thumbnail image in step S78, on the other hand,a second dummy is displayed. The second dummy image is different fromthe dummy image used in step S76, and may be a predetermined logo, forexample. These data are held in the storage element 6.

Assume, for example, that 10 image files ABC0001.JPG to ABC0010.JPG arelocated in the lowest layer of DCIM and three images ABC0002.JPG,ABC0005.JPG and ABC0009.JPG are designated as automatic reproductionfiles 3 and the thumbnail image is not stored in the ABC0005 file. Inthis case, the control unit 8, based on the information described in theautomatic reproduction file 3, is informed that ABC0001.JPG is notcontained in the automatic reproduction files. Thus, as shown in FIG.10, the first dummy image such as all-zero data (i.e., solid black) iswritten in the area of the storage element 6 where the thumbnail imagedata of the ABC0001 file should otherwise be stored, through the imagedevelopment unit 5.

Next, the thumbnail image of ABC0002.JPG is displayed. The control unit8, informed through the read unit 4 that the ABC0002 file is stored inthe automatic reproduction files, controls the read unit in such amanner as to detect the particular thumbnail image from the image fileABC0002 and read it from the image file storage medium 1 to the imagedevelopment unit 5. The image development unit 5, under the control ofthe control unit 8, extends a JPEG-compressed image file to such adegree that it can be displayed on the image display unit 7 and developsit in the storage element 6. The image data developed in the storageelement 6 is read from the image development unit 5, transferred to theimage display unit 7 controlled by the control unit 8, and displayed onan arbitrary display unit. The automatic reproduction is not permittedfor the files ABC0003 and ABC0004 from the contents described in theautomatic reproduction file 3, and therefore the image display processis executed following the same procedure as the aforementioned ABC0001file.

Next, the image file ABC0005 is displayed. Since the automaticreproduction of the file ABC0005 is permitted, the control unit 8detects the thumbnail image from the image file ABC0005 and tries toperform the control operation to read the thumbnail file from the imagefile storage medium 1 to the image development unit 5. Since nothumbnail image is stored, however, as shown in FIG. 19, for example,user logo image data making up the second dummy image is written in anarea of the storage element 6 where the thumbnail image of the ABC0005file should otherwise be stored, through the image development unit 5.In the process, the presence or absence of the thumbnail image can beeasily judged by retrieving a JPEG header of the thumbnail block.

With regard to the image file with the description of non-automaticreproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3, the thumbnail imageis not necessary to display. Regardless of presence or absence of thethumbnail image, therefore, the device displays the first dummy imagesuch as solid black. As a result, the user of the image reproductiondevice can easily distinguish between the thumbnail image of the imagefile which contains the description of non-automatic reproduction in theautomatic reproduction file 3 and which is displayed in solid black onthe one hand and the image file which contains the description ofautomatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 is displayedwith the user logo on the other hand.

As described above, with the configuration according to this embodiment,the thumbnail image of the image file which contains the description ofnon-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 in theimage file storage medium 1 is displayed as a first dummy image, whilein the absence of the thumbnail image in spite of the description ofautomatic reproduction, a second dummy image is displayed. In this way,the user of the image reproduction device can retrieve a desired imagefile using a thumbnail display function.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment of the invention is explained with reference toFIG. 20.

The configuration of the fourth embodiment poses the problem that evenupon receipt of a thumbnail display request for the image file storingno thumbnail image, the thumbnail image display of the image file whichcontains the description of non-automatic reproduction in the automaticreproduction file 3 can be easily distinguished, but since the thumbnailimage is not stored, the thumbnail cannot be displayed in spite of theimage file which contains the description of automatic reproduction inthe automatic reproduction file 3.

In view of this, this embodiment, after the thumbnail image listdisplays, reads the main image of the image file not storing thethumbnail image, and resizes this main image to a size of the thumbnailimage for display. Then, at the time of displaying the thumbnail list,the device replaces the second dummy image on display with theparticular thumbnail image thereby to solve the aforementioned problem.FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image reproductiondevice according to this embodiment. Incidentally, the same componentparts as in the aforementioned embodiments are designated by the samereference numerals, respectively, and not described again.

First, operations of steps S71 to S82 after insertion of the image filestorage medium 1 into the image reproduction device are same as thecorresponding operations in the fourth embodiment and therefore are notdescribed in detail. Upon complete display of all the images, theprocess proceeds to step S82 to display a second dummy image, in whichcase the device reads the main image of the image displayed in logo fromthe image file storage medium 1. Then, the process proceeds to step S83to compress this image to the size of the thumbnail image and replacedwith the logo image (step S83). This process is executed sequentiallyfor each logo display image.

Like in the fourth embodiment, assume, for example, that 10 images filesABC0001.JPG to ABC0010.JPG are located in the lowest layer of DCIM andthree images ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG and ABC0009.JPG are designated asan automatic reproduction file 3 and that the thumbnail image is notstored in the ABC0005 file. In this case, operations of steps S71 to S81are the same as the operations described above. Specifically, thecontrol unit 8 is informed, based on the information described in theautomatic reproduction file 3, that the file ABC0001.JPG is not includedin the automatic reproduction file. Thus, the all-zero (i.e., solidblack) data is written in the area of the storage element 6 where thethumbnail image data of the ABC0001 file should otherwise be stored,through the image development unit 5 as shown in FIG. 10. Next, theimage file ABC0002.JPG is displayed. The control unit 8, which isinformed that the ABC0002 file is included in the automatic reproductionfiles, controls the read unit 4 in such a manner as to search the imagefile ABC0002 for the corresponding thumbnail image and read thethumbnail image from the image file storage medium 1 to the imagedevelopment unit 5. The image development unit 5, under the control ofthe control unit 8, extends a JPEG-compressed image file to such adegree as to be displayed on the image display unit 7 and develops it inthe storage element 6. The image data developed in the storage element 6is read from the image development unit 5, transferred to the imagedisplay unit 7 controlled by the control unit 8 and displayed on anarbitrary display unit. Subsequently, with regard to the ABC0003 andABC0004 files, which contains the description of non-automaticreproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3, the image displayprocess is executed following a similar procedure to the ABC0001 filedescribed above. Next, an image file of ABC0005.JPG is displayed. Sincethe control unit 8 is informed through the read unit 4 that theautomatic reproduction files include the ABC0005 file, the user logoimage data is written in an area of the storage element 6 where thethumbnail image data of the ABC0005 file should otherwise be stored,through the image development unit 5. In this way, a list of all thethumbnails is displayed temporarily.

Next, in step S82, the control unit 8, for lack of the thumbnail image,reads the main image data of the ABC0005 file constituting the thumbnailimage displayed as a user logo through the read unit 4, and resizes theimage data to a thumbnail image. The main image thus resized is replacedwith the thumbnail image currently displayed as a user logo. As aresult, the thumbnail image with the description of automaticreproduction in the automatic reproduction file of the image filestoring the thumbnail image can be displayed. In this case, since themain image is read from the image file and resized to the thumbnailimage, the time of resizing the image data cannot be shortened. The useof the configuration according to this embodiment, however, in which allthe thumbnail images are displayed by some method regardless of thepresence or absence of the thumbnail image, produces the effect ofpreventing the viewers from misunderstanding that the thumbnail displayoperation of the image reproduction device is suspended.

Normally, the number of image files displayed in the thumbnail imagelist is about several to 20, depending on resolution of a display unitused with the image reproduction device. With the ever increasingcapacity of the image file storage medium, however, it is not a rarecase that several tens to several hundreds of image files are stored ineach image file storage medium. In such a case, all the thumbnail imagesof the image files cannot be displayed on one screen, and therefore 16image files, for example, are displayed each time on the imagereproduction device. In the process, assume that a thumbnail for theimage file not storing the thumbnail image is displayed by resizing fromthe main image, the operation of switching the image from the firstthumbnail image list (ABC0001 to ABC0016) to the second thumbnail imagelist (ABC0017 to ABC0032) is accompanied by the job to obtain thethumbnail image from the main image of the image file having nothumbnail image. As a result, it becomes a problem that a considerablelength of time is required before the second thumbnail image list isdisplayed. Normally, the thumbnail image list is displayed for thepurpose of searching the image files stored in the image file storagemedium 1, and therefore demand is high for quickening the switching ofthe thumbnail image lists. When a request to switch the first thumbnailimage list to the second thumbnail image list is input to the controlunit 8 from the input unit 9, therefore, the process under execution bythe image development unit 5 to resize the main image is suspended, andthe first image file (the ABC0017 file in the aforementioned case) ofthe second thumbnail image is preferably displayed. With this operation,the thumbnail image list can be quickly switched.

As described above, with the configuration according to the invention,the image file, which contains the description of automatic reproductionin the automatic reproduction file 3 in the image file storage medium 1but which has no thumbnail image data stored therein, is displayed firstas a second dummy image. Next, after displaying the entire thumbnailimage list, the second dummy image is resized from the main image anddisplayed so that all the thumbnails of the image files which containsthe description of automatic reproduction in the automatic reproductionfile 3 can be finally displayed.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a sixth embodiment of the invention is explained with reference toFIGS. 21 to 23.

In the configuration of the second to fifth embodiments, the thumbnailimage of the image file which contains the description of non-automaticreproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 is displayed on thedisplay unit as the first dummy image. As a result, even in the imagereproduction device using a display unit such as a projector capable ofdisplaying a image on a large screen, the user of the image reproductiondevice can withhold from displaying the image data not desired to bedisplayed to a multiplicity of unspecified third parties. In theconfiguration described above, however, the user may sometimes desire todisplay an image currently displayed as a dummy image for some reason orother by displaying a thumbnail image list. In such a case, according tothe second to fifth embodiments, can confirm the image reproductiondevice the presence or absence of the desired image file in the imagefile storage medium 1, and further the name of the particular imagefile, and display as a main image. The thumbnail image of the particularimage file, however, cannot be displayed in situ. A method which enablesto display the thumbnail image is to update the automatic reproductionfile 3. In this case, unless the user recognizes the update history ofthe image file storage medium 1, it becomes a problem that in a casewhere the thumbnail image is displayed on another occasion using theimage file storage medium 1 updated in the preceding session, thethumbnail image, like the other image files which contains thedescription of automatic reproduction in the automatic reproductionfile, is undesirably displayed to the third-party viewers of the imagereproduction device.

This embodiment can solve the problem if the dummy thumbnail images ofthe image, which contains the description of non-automatic reproductionin the automatic reproduction file 3, can be individually changed to thethumbnail images.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the imagereproduction device according to this embodiment. In this embodiment,the same component parts as the corresponding ones in the aforementionedembodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, respectively,and not explained again. In FIG. 21, an OSD generating unit 21 iscontrolled by the control unit 8 to display an arbitrary OSD image onthe image reproduction device. An image superposition unit 22 is tosuperpose the inputs thereto from the OSD generating unit 21 and theimage development unit 5 and to output the superposed image data to theimage display unit 7. The operation of the image reproduction deviceaccording to this embodiment is explained below with reference to aflowchart.

First, as shown in the second embodiment, in the presence of a thumbnailimage display request based on the contents described in the automaticreproduction file 3, the device displays a thumbnail image list as shownin FIG. 23 on the display unit. Assume that a request is received fromthe input unit 9 to change to an ordinary thumbnail image the thumbnailimage of the solid-black image file which contains the description ofnon-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3. Thecontrol unit 8 controls the OSD generating unit 21 to generate an imageselect cursor K as shown in FIG. 23, so that the image superpositionunit 22 superposes the image select cursor on the original thumbnailimage list (step S91). The image select cursor, based on the inputinformation from the input unit 9, is moved by the units of thethumbnail image in four directions, i.e., upward, downward, leftward andrightward (step S92). In a case where the thumbnail display of the imagefile ABC0004 is changed from solid black to the normal thumbnail image,as shown in FIG. 23, for example, the first step is to move the imageselect cursor to the area of the thumbnail image (solid black display inthis case) of ABC0004 and judge whether a protection cancellationrequest is issued or not from the input unit 9 (step S93).

In a case where the thumbnail image of the image file which the user ofthe image file storage medium 1 does not want to display to a thirdparty is displayed in solid black as in this embodiment, a higher degreeof security may be required. When the control unit 8 receives adetermination command, therefore, a repeated confirmation is desirablymade. In this way, the control unit 8 receives from the input unit 9 therequest to change the display of the thumbnail image of the ABC0004displayed in solid black to the normal thumbnail image display (stepS93). Then, the process proceeds to step S94 and the control unit 8transfers the thumbnail image data of ABC0004 to the image developmentunit 5 from the image files in the image file storage medium 1 throughthe read unit 4. The image development unit 5, in a desired format,overwrites the thumbnail image data on the area of the storage unit 6where the thumbnail image data of ABC0004 is written. After that, theimage data written in the storage element 6 is transferred to the imagedisplay unit 7 through the image superposition unit 22. With thisoperation, the thumbnail image of ABC0004 as shown in FIG. 24 replacedwith a normal image is displayed on the display unit. The imagesuperposition unit 22 is normally configured of a multiplier. In thiscase, the data input from the image development unit 5 is multiplied by1 and the data input from the OSD generating unit 21 is multiplied by 0.In this way, the image data output from the image development unit 5 canbe displayed through without superposition of the OSD image thereon.

With the configuration according to this embodiment, the thumbnail imageof the image file protected by solid black or an arbitrary image displayon this image reproduction device can be replaced with a normalthumbnail image without updating the automatic reproduction file 3 inthe image file storage medium 1.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, with the image reproduction device and methodaccording to the invention, the thumbnail image of other than the imagefile which contains the description of automatic reproduction in theautomatic reproduction file in the image file storage medium can betotally prevented from being displayed at the time of thumbnail imagedisplay, by reading the contents of the description of the automaticreproduction file in the image file storage medium.

Also, the information of the automatic reproduction file stored in theimage file storage medium is read and the thumbnail image of the imagefile which contains the description of non-automatic reproduction in theautomatic reproduction file is displayed as a dummy image, so that thepresence of the image file can be recognized and the desired image filecan be detected from all the image files in the image file storagemedium.

Also, at the time of displaying the thumbnail of the image file whichcontains the description of non-automatic reproduction in the automaticreproduction file 3, the thumbnail image is not displayed as it is, butby changing to an image apparently unrecognizable by a third party. Inthis way, the desired image file can be retrieved.

Further, the presence or absence of the thumbnail image of the imagefile is judged, and with regard to the image file lacking the thumbnailimage, the second dummy image is used as a thumbnail image. In this way,the user of the image reproduction device can easily distinguish thetwo. Furthermore, after displaying the second thumbnail image list, thesecond dummy image is replaced with the main image compressed to thesize of the thumbnail image. In this way, all the thumbnails of theimage file which contains the description of non-automatic reproductionin the automatic reproduction file can be finally displayed.

Also, the thumbnail display protected by displaying a dummy image on theimage reproduction device is selectively displayed individually and thuscan be easily replaced with the normal thumbnail image.

1. An image reproduction device which displays an image file storagemedium having stored therein a plurality of image files with main imageinformation and thumbnail image information in an arbitrary format, andan automatic reproduction file containing at least the description as towhether the automatic reproduction of said plurality of the image filesis permitted or not and order in which said image files are reproduced,the device comprising: a read unit which reads each file informationstored in said image file storage medium; a control unit which performsa control operation in such a manner that said read unit reads from saidimage file storage medium a thumbnail image of the image file whichcontains the description of automatic reproduction in the automaticreproduction file; an image development unit which develops the imagefile read by said read unit; a storage element into which the image datadeveloped by said image development unit are written; and an imagedisplay unit which reads and displays a list of the thumbnail imageswritten in said storage element.
 2. An image reproduction deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: an input unit whichselectively determines whether only the thumbnail image of the imagefile which contains the description of automatic reproduction in saidautomatic reproduction file read by said read unit is displayed or thethumbnail images of all the image files stored in said image filestorage medium are displayed regardless of the automatic reproductioninformation of said automatic reproduction file, wherein said controlunit performs the control operation in such a manner that the thumbnailimage selected by said input unit is read from said image file storagemedium.
 3. An image reproduction device according to claim 1, whereinsaid storage element holds dummy image data corresponding to a thumbnailimage, and said control unit performs the control operation in such amanner that a dummy image is read from said storage element in place ofthe thumbnail image of the image file which contains the description ofnon-automatic reproduction in said automatic reproduction file read bysaid read unit.
 4. An image reproduction device according to claim 3,further comprising: an input unit which selectively determines whethersaid thumbnail image is displayed as a dummy image or as a thumbnailimage, wherein said control unit performs the control operation in sucha manner that a thumbnail image is read from said image file storagemedium in a case where the thumbnail image is selected by said inputunit, and a dummy image is read from said storage element in a casewhere the dummy image is selected by said input unit.
 5. An imagereproduction device according to claim 1, wherein said control unitreads thumbnail images of all the image files from said image filestorage medium, and said image development unit develops the thumbnailimage of the image file which contains the description of automaticreproduction in the automatic reproduction file read by said read unitas a normal image and, also, develops a thumbnail image of the imagefile which contains the description of non-automatic reproduction insaid automatic reproduction file as an image difficult to recognize. 6.An image reproduction device according to claim 5, wherein said imagedevelopment unit comprises: a file extension unit which is supplied withthe image file information stored in said image file storage medium toextend the image file; a write address generating unit which generates awrite address for said storage element; and a read address generatingunit which generates a read address for said storage element, and whendeveloping the thumbnail image of the image file which contains thedescription of non-automatic reproduction in the information of saidautomatic reproduction file, the write address for said storage elementis generated discontinuously in accordance with a predetermined rule bysaid write address generating unit.
 7. An image reproduction deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein said image development unit comprises: afile extension unit which is supplied with the image file informationstored in said image file storage medium to extend the image file; awrite address generating unit which generates a write address for saidstorage element; and a read address generating unit which generates aread address for said storage element, and when developing the thumbnailimage of the image file which contains the description of non-automaticreproduction in the information of said automatic reproduction file, theread address for said storage element is generated discontinuously inaccordance with a predetermined rule by said read address generatingunit.
 8. An image reproduction device according to claim 5, wherein saidimage development unit comprises: a file extension unit which issupplied with the image file information stored in said image filestorage medium to extend the image file; a write address generating unitwhich generates a write address for said storage element; and a readaddress generating unit which generates a read address for said storageelement, and when developing the thumbnail image of the image file whichcontains the description of non-automatic reproduction in theinformation of said automatic reproduction file, the write address forsaid storage element is generated discontinuously in accordance with apredetermined rule by said write address generating unit and, also, theread address for said storage element is generated discontinuously inaccordance with a predetermined rule by said read address generatingunit.
 9. An image reproduction device according to claim 3, wherein saidstorage element holds first and second different dummy image data assaid dummy images, and said control unit performs the control operationin such a manner that the first dummy image is read from said storageelement in place of the thumbnail image of the image file which containsthe description of non-automatic reproduction in the automaticreproduction file and, where the thumbnail image of the image file isnot stored in said image file which contains the description ofautomatic reproduction in said automatic reproduction file at the timeof reading said thumbnail image from said image file storage medium,said control unit performs the control operation in such a manner thatsaid second dummy image is read from said storage element.
 10. An imagereproduction device according to claim 9, wherein said control unitperforms a control operation in such a manner that after all thethumbnail images are output on an arbitrary screen, a main image of theimage file having said thumbnail image not stored therein is read, andsize of said main image is reduced to that of a thumbnail image, afterwhich the image displayed as said second dummy image is replaced withsaid compressed thumbnail image.
 11. An image reproduction deviceaccording to claim 5, further comprising: an input unit whichselectively determines whether display of a thumbnail image displayed assaid image difficult to recognize is canceled or not, wherein saidcontrol unit performs the control operation in such a manner that in acase where display of an image developed by said input unit as an imagedifficult to recognize is canceled, a thumbnail image corresponding tothe image is read from said image file.
 12. An image reproduction deviceaccording to claim 9, further comprising: an input unit for selectivelydetermining whether the display of said dummy image of the thumbnailimage displayed as said dummy image is canceled or not, wherein saidcontrol unit performs the control operation in such a manner that in acase where the display of said dummy image is canceled by said inputunit, the thumbnail image corresponding to the image is read from saidimage file.
 13. (canceled)
 14. An image reproduction method whichdisplays a thumbnail image of an image file storage medium having storedtherein a plurality of image files and thumbnail image information in anarbitrary format, and an automatic reproduction file containing at leastdescription of control information as to whether automatic reproductionof said plurality of the image files is permitted or not and order inwhich said image files are reproduced, comprising the steps of: readingsaid automatic reproduction file information stored in said image filestorage medium; reading a thumbnail image information file of the imagefile which contains the description of automatic reproduction in saidautomatic reproduction file, from said image file storage medium; anddisplaying a list of said thumbnail images that have been read.
 15. Animage reproduction method according to claim 14, comprising: afterreading said automatic reproduction file information stored in saidimage file storage medium, waiting an input for selectively determiningwhether only the thumbnail image of said image file which contains thedescription of automatic reproduction in said automatic reproductionfile is displayed or the thumbnail images of all the image files storedin said image file storage medium are displayed regardless of saidautomatic reproduction file information; and reading the thumbnail imageselected from said image file storage medium.
 16. An image reproductionmethod according to claim 14, comprising: displaying the image file withthe description of non-automatic reproduction in said automaticreproduction file as a dummy image in place of the thumbnail image. 17.An image reproduction method according to claim 16, comprising: waitingan input for selectively determining whether said thumbnail image isdisplayed as a dummy image or a thumbnail image; and displaying theselected thumbnail image.
 18. An image reproduction method according toclaim 14, comprising: displaying a thumbnail image of an image filewhich contains the description of automatic reproduction in saidautomatic reproduction file as a thumbnail image as it is; anddeveloping a thumbnail image of an image file which contains thedescription of non-automatic reproduction in said automatic reproductionfile as an image difficult to recognize and displaying the thumbnailimage.
 19. An image reproduction method according to claim 18, whereinsaid developing step comprises: extending an image file in response toan input of said image file information stored in said image filestorage medium; when displaying the thumbnail image of the image filewhich contains the description of non-automatic reproduction in saidautomatic reproduction file stored in said image file storage medium,generating a write address discontinuously in accordance with apredetermined rule for a storage element into which the extended imagedata is written; and generating a read address sequentially when readingthe image data written in said storage element.
 20. An imagereproduction method according to claim 18, wherein said developing stepcomprises: extending an image file in response to an input of said imagefile information stored in said image file storage medium; generatingthe write address to said storage element sequentially; and whendisplaying a thumbnail image of an image file which contains thedescription of non-automatic reproduction in the information of saidautomatic reproduction file stored in said image file storage medium,generating a read address for reading the image data written in saidstorage element discontinuously in accordance with a predetermined rule.21. An image reproduction method according to claim 18, wherein saiddeveloping step comprises: extending an image file in response to aninput of said image file information stored in said image file storagemedium; when displaying a thumbnail image of an image file whichcontains the description of non-automatic reproduction in theinformation of said automatic reproduction file stored in said imagefile storage medium, generating a write address for the storage elementinto which the extended image data is written discontinuously inaccordance with a predetermined rule; and generating a read address forreading the image data written in said storage element discontinuouslyin accordance with a predetermined rule.
 22. An image reproductionmethod according to claim 16, comprising: holding first and seconddifferent dummy image data as said dummy images; displaying a thumbnailimage of an image file which contains the description of non-automaticreproduction in said automatic reproduction file as a first dummy image;and displaying said second dummy image where a thumbnail image of theimage file which contains the description of automatic reproduction insaid automatic reproduction file is read from said image file storagemedium and not stored in said image file.
 23. An image reproductionmethod according to claim 22, comprising: outputting all the thumbnailimages on an arbitrary screen; reading a main image of an image filehaving no thumbnail images therein; and after minimizing a size of saidmain image to a size of said thumbnail image, replacing the imagedisplayed as said second dummy image with said compressed thumbnailimage.
 24. An image reproduction method according to claim 18,comprising: waiting an input for selectively determining whether thedisplay of said thumbnail image displayed as an image difficult torecognize is canceled or not; and when canceling the display of saidimage as an image difficult to recognize, replacing the thumbnail imagecorresponding to the image with a thumbnail image which is originallystored in said image file.
 25. An image reproduction method according toclaim 16, comprising: waiting an input for selectively determiningwhether said dummy display of the thumbnail image displayed as saiddummy image is canceled or not; and when the display as a dummy image iscanceled, replacing the thumbnail image corresponding to the image withthe thumbnail image which should originally be stored in said imagefile.
 26. (canceled)